Islamabad March 6 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that decision to release the Indian pilot was widely acknowledged by the international community.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan took that decision in best interest of Pakistan and to deescalate the situation.
In response to Bilawal’s statement that Prime Minister Imran Khan took a risk releasing the Indian pilot early, he said the issue of releasing the pilot was discussed and done in Pakistan’s interest.
He said we thought by doing this we would be signaling de-escalation.
This signal went loud and clear and was appreciated worldwide. Everyone acknowledged Pakistan acted responsibly and immediately.
He invited the opposition to sit together with the government on foreign policy issues.
He said government would welcome any suggestion from the opposition parties to cope with the challenges Pakistan is confronting with on foreign affairs’ front.
The Foreign Minister invited Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif, and other parliamentary leaders to come to the Foreign Office and the government would seek their inputs on foreign relations.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the government is also committed to implement National Action Plan in letter and spirit.
He said the government is carrying out crackdown against proscribed organizations to defeat terrorism.
Regarding economic situation in the country, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said structural flaws in the economy are a major stumbling block we inherited from the previous government.
He urged the opposition to come forward with valid suggestions to improve economy of the country.
The Foreign Minister said boycotting of OIC meeting in Abu Dhabi was done in light of the unanimous resolution passed by the joint sitting of the parliament.
Commenting on the Nobel Peace Prize for Imran Khan, he said the prime minister himself had tweeted that he did not deserve this, rather the person who would resolve the Kashmir dispute should be rewarded with this.
The foreign minister said that praise should be given to both Hassan Siddiqui and Nouman Ali Khan who downed the Indian jets.
VNS Islamabad
